"Exports fell sharply in March and are set to plummet this quarter as economic activity in most of Japan's major trading partners has collapsed," said Tom Learmouth, Japan economist at Capital Economics.
Thanks to a gradual recovery in its activity, "China is likely to be a rare bright spot for external demand in Q2", he added in a note.

Japan's imports from the rest of the world fell 5.0 percent as imports from China declined 4.5 percent and those from the EU fell 9.7 percent.

Imports from the United States rose 1.3 percent, supported by purchases of aircraft, medical supplies and liquefied natural gas.